Profile Text
Birth Name: Arlette Pinheiro Esteves da Silva
Place of Birth: Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date of Birth: 16 October, 1929
Ethnicity: *50% Portuguese *50% Italian
Fernanda Montenegro is a Brazilian stage, television, and film actress. She is one of two Brazilian actresses to have been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, and one of two people nominated for acting in Portuguese; for her leading role in the film Central Station (1998). The other one is actress Fernanda Torres , who is Fernanda’s daughter, and who was nominated for I’m Still Here (2024).
Fernanda was born in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the daughter of Carmen Pinheiro Nieddu and Vitórino Pinheiro Esteves da Silva, a mechanic. Her father was of Portuguese descent. Her mother was of Italian descent. She holds both Brazilian and Italian citizenship. She chose the name Montenegro after the family doctor.
Fernanda was married to actor Fernando Torres, until his death, with whom she has two children, Fernanda Torres and film director Cláudio Torres.
Fernanda’s paternal grandfather was José Pinheiro da Silva (the son of José do Rego da Silva and Maria da Conceição). Fernanda’s grandfather José was born in Santa Clara-a-Nova, Almodôvar, Portugal.
Fernanda’s paternal grandmother was Ana Albina/Alvina Esteves (the daughter of António Bernardo Esteves and Teresa Martins Balsa). Ana was born in Torgueda, Vila Real, Portugal. António was the son of Agostinho Esteves and Maria Capela. Teresa was the daughter of Manuel Martins Balsa and Maria Botelho.
Fernanda’s maternal grandfather was Pietrino Nieddu (the son of Antioco Nieddu and Giuliana/Juliana Tiddia). Pietrino was born in Teulada, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy. Antioco was born in Teulada, the son of Salvatore Nieddu and Maria Frau. Giuliana was born in Teulada, the daughter of Sisinnio Tiddia and Antonia Ballisai.
Fernanda’s maternal grandmother was Maria Francisca Pinna (the daughter of Francesco Pinna and Giovanna Piras). Maria was born in Bonarcado, Oristano, Sardinia, Italy.
Sources: http://ricerca.gelocal.it (in Italian) http://www.terra.com.br (in Portuguese) http://livraria.imprensaoficial.com.br (in Portuguese)
Genealogy of Fernanda Montenegro (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com